The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-12-17

the removal or reduction OF this duty should %
included in a revision of our tariff laws
In speaking of the increased cost to the con
sumer of our home manufactures, resulting
from a duty laid upon imported articles OF the
same description, the fact is not overlooked that
competition among our domestic producers
sometimes has the effect Of keeping the price Of
their products below the highest limit allowed
by such duty. But il is notorious that this com
petition is too often strangled by combinations
quite prevalent at this time, and frequently
called trusts, which have for their object the
regulation of the supply and price of commodi-
ties made and sold by members OF the combina-
ton. The people can hardly hope Toe anv CON
sideration in the operation OF these selfish
schemes. If, however, in the absence OF such
combination, a healthy aud free competition re-
duees the price OF any particular dulable article
of home production below the limit which II
might otherwise reach under our tarif laws, ana
i with such reduced price, its manufacture con-
iinues TO thrive, it is entirely evident that one
| thing has been discovered which should be care
fully scrutinized in an effort to reduce taxation
The necessity of combination TO maintain the
price OF any commodity 10 the tarit point fur-
/ nishes proof that some one is
WILLING TO ACCEPT LOWER PRICES
| for such commodity, ana that such prices are re-
| munerative, and lower prices produced by COM
petition prove the same thing. Thus where either
| OF these conditions exist 81 case would seem TO
! be presented for all easy reduction of taxation.
| The considerations which have been presented
touching our tariff laws are intended only TO en-
| force an earnest recommendation that the sur
| plus revenues OF the government be prevented
| by the reduction OF our customs duties, and at
/ the same time, to emphasize q suggestion that
| IN accomplishing this purpose, we may discharge
! d double duty to our people by granting TO
/ them measure of relief from taTiff
! taxation in quarters where 1t is most needed
| and from sources where il can De most falrly
| ana justly accorded Nor can the presentation
| made of such considerations be, with any degree
| OF fairness regarded as evidence OF unfrlendil-
| ness toward our manufacturing Interests, or OF
| any lack of appreciation OF their value and I'M
| portance. These interests constitute leading
| and most substantial element of our national
/
| country's progress. But if in the emergency
that presses upon us our manufacturers are asked
! to surrender something for the public good ana
! to avert disaster, their patriotism, as well as q
! CRATE iul recognition of advantages already a.
| forded, should lead them to willing coopera-
| ton. No demand is made that they snail lore
| go all the benefits OF governmental regard; but
| they cannot fail TO be admonished OF Their duty,
| as well a. their enlightened selflnterest and
/ sa ETY., when they are reminded OF the TACT thtt
| financial panic ant collapse, 10 which the pres
ent condition lends afford no greater shelter or
| protection to our manufactures than to our other
important enterprises. Opportunity Tor sale,
| careful, and
! DELIBERATE REFORM IS NOW OFFERED;
and none of us should pe unmindiul OF time
when an abused and irritated people, leedless OF
| those who have resist d timely and reasonable
| relief, may insist upon radical and sweeping
| rectification OF their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise and fair re-
| vision of our tariff laws Is not underestl mated.
II VIII require on the part OF the Consress great
| labor ana care, and especially a broad ana ma
| tiOual contemplation OF the subject, and patrl-
Otic disregard OF such local ana Selfish claims az
! are unreasonable and reckless OF the welfare OF
| the entire country.
Under our present laws more than 1000 articles
| are subject to duty. Many of these do not in
| any way compete with our own manufactures,
and many are hardly worth attention as subjects
| OF revenue. A considerable reduction can be
| made IN the aggregate by adding them 10 the
| free list. The taxation of luXur1es presents no
| features OF hardship but the necessaries OF life
| use and consumed by ali the peopie, the duty
| upon whith adds to the cost OF living in every
| home, should be greatly cheapened.
| The radical reduction of the duties imposed on
| raw material used III manufactures, or its free
importation is ot course, an important factor in
| any effort to reduce the lrlee OF these necessi-
ries it would not only relieve them from the in
creased cost caused by the tariff on such mateTi-
| a., but the manufactured product being thus
cheap pened, that part of the tariff now laid upon
| such product, as a compensation 10 our manu-
| tdcturers for the present price OF raw material
| could be accordingly modified. bucn r sduction
or free importation, would serve beside to large
| ly reduce the revenue. 1t is not apparent how
such change can have any injurious effect upon
! cur manufacturers. on the contrary, II would
| appear TO give them
| A BETTER CHANCE IN FOREIGN MARKETS
| with the manufactures of other countries, who
| cheaper their wares by free material. Thus or
| people might have the opportunity OF extending
| their sales beyond the limits OF home consump-
| tion-saving them f ON the depression, interrup-
ton in business, and loss caused by a glutted
| domestic market and affording their employees
| ing quiet and contentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for
| solution should be approached in epiIlt higher
| than partisanship and considered III the light Q.
| that regard for patriotic duty which should
! characterize the action OF those intrusted with
| the veal of q cCntiding people. But the otIga-
ton to dee ered party policy and principle IS not
| wanting to urge prompt and effective action
| Both OF the great political parties now repr-
| seuted in the government have, By repeated ana
| authoritative declarations, condemned the con-
| dition of our laws which permit the collect on
| from the people OF unnecessary revenue, ana
| have, in the st solerhu manner, promised IFS
| correction; and Meth er SIS citizens partissns
| are our countiymen in mood to condoue the de
| llberate violation of these pledges.
Our progress toward a wise conclusion viii not
| be improved by dwelling upon the theories Ot
| protection and free trade. This sayors too much
| of bandylpg eplthets. 1t IS c0Hdttton winch
| ConfIonts us-nOt Il theory. R.llet from lhl-
| condition ruay involve a slight reduction Of the
| advantages which we award our home produe'
| tioDs, but the entire HIthdrawal OF such advan-
| tages should not be contemplated. The question
| oil free trade is absolutely irrelevant; and the
| persistent claim made in certain quarters that
all efforts TO relieve the people from unjust and
! unnecessary taxation are schemes OF 30 called
| irel traders, is mischievous and far removed
| from any consideration for the public good.
| The simple and plain duty which we owe he
Ieople is to reduce taxation TO the necessary eX-
pensss of an economical opei alton OF the gov
| enment and to restore 10 the business OF the
| country the money which we hold III the treas
uIy through the
| PERykRsIoN OF GOVERNMENTAL TOWERS.
| These things eau and should be done with
| safety to All our industries, without danger 10
the opportunity for Temuneratlve labor which
| our workingmen need, and with b netit TO them
and all our people, by cheapeniLg their means
| OF subsistence and increasing the measure oi
| their comforts.
The constitution provides that the President
! "shan, from time TO time give TO the Congress
information of the state OF the Union II has
| been the custom OF the executive, in compliance
| with this provision, TO annually exhibit 10 the
Congress, at the opening OF It's session. the gen
eIa condition OF the country. and to detail, with
some particularly, the operations of tie differ
| ent executive departments 1t would be eSps-
cialy agreeable TO follow this c. urse at the pres
| cnt time, and to call attention TO the valuable
accomplishments of these departments during
! the last fiscal year. But am so much Impressed
| with the paramount importance OF the subject
to which this communication has thus far been
devoted that shall toTego tee addition OF any
other topic and only urge upon your immediate
consideration the state OF the Union as shown
in the present condition oi our treasury and cur
general fiscal situation, upon which every ele-
ment of our safety and prosperity depends
| The reports OF he heads of the departments
which will be submitted, contain full and eX
picit information touching the transactions o
the business intrusted to them and such recon-
meudations relating to legislation in the public
/ interest as they deem advisable. ask Tor these
| reports and recommendation the deliberate ex
animation and scuon OF the legislative branch o.
tie government.
| There are other subjects not embraced in the
depart ntal reports demanding legislative con
| s.derstion and which should be glad 10 submit
some of them. however, have been earnestly
| presented in previous messages, and, as to them
beg leave to repeat prior recommendations
As the law makes NJ provision Tor any report
from the d. paTtment OF state, Il brief history o
| the transactions OF that important department
together with other matters which il may mere
after be detmed essential to commend to the At
| tention Of the Congress, may furnish the occa-
sion for a future communication
| GROVER CLEVELAND.
| WASHINGTON, d. C., December 6, 1887.
|